There are a lot of exciting new manga series releasing
in 2023 and more are sure to be on the way.
In this video, I only included series that are releasing for the first time
with English translation and that are receiving print releases.
So digital releases are not on this list.
And if you are interested in picking up any of these manga,
I've included preorder links when available in the description below.
That all being said, here are the new manga you need to be reading in 2023.
I have to talk about Innocent by Shinichi Sakamoto first.
When Dark Horse announced that they would be releasing
three in one omnibus of the series at Anime NYC, I couldn't believe it.
Definitely up there with the announcement of Homunculus for me,
which I'm going to talk about later as news of the year.
I would honestly have been happy with any of Sakamoto’s
works being printed, whether it be The Climber or DRCL.
But Innocent is an incredible first step and I'm really hoping
this means that all of his works will be on the way in the future, too.
Innocent is set before the French Revolution and its story is told from
the perspective of Charles-Henri Sanson, who comes from a family of executioners.
He takes on this role even though he doesn't want to,
in order to essentially change the system from within.
One of the things about Shinichi Sakamoto is works that always captivates
me is not only the fact that he emphasizes reality
and this is something you can see through his hyper realistic artwork,
but I also really of the fact that you can hear what's happening on the page.
You don't just see the events that are unfolding before you.
You feel them, hear them, and more.
It’s as if you're in the very scene.
I remember seeing an interview with him where
he said he was experimenting with not using onomatopoeia in his panels.
He wants to make you imagine
those sounds rather than tell you they are there and he excels at doing so.
He even goes as far to help the reader understand what something
would sound like in his works.
For instance, in Kokou no Hito, he mentioned that the sound of a glacier
collapsing is not something that we come across every day,
but we see and hear buildings collapsing in film all the time.
So we drew a panel of a building
collapsing before to give the reader the idea as to what it would sound like.
He's truly one of the best artists of our time.
Also, all of the details and work he puts into making Innocent
and how all of its characters are accurate to the time period it's set in
is incredible.
The details of their clothing, their hair, where they live and the settings
they take part in, it's just above and beyond,
and it's a true masterpiece through and through.
Innocent
is one of my top series from Sakamoto, but also one of my top series of all time.
We have stunning artwork,
detailed and intricate that's full of emotion and symbolism.
He showcases our characters emotions in abstract ways,
but his works are rooted entirely in realism.
It's one of the best historical series I've ever read and it is full of drama
and is quite over-the-top in the best way possible, too.
The first volume is expected to release on November 22nd, 2023,
so be sure to keep an eye out for its release then.
This next manga already released from Yen Press in January 2023.
It's Oshi no Ko from the creators of Scum’s Wish and Kaguya-sama: Love is War.
I actually did an early
look of this one on the channel, if you'd like to check it out.
There's also an anime of this one coming in
April 2023 too, so there's a lot to look forward to.
Oshi no Ko is quite an out there series,
but I love these types of stories, so this is a compliment coming from me.
I was excited for this one
because it's written by the creator of one of my favorite romantic comedies,
Kaguya-sama Love is War and is illustrated by the creator of Scum’s Wish.
I enjoy both of their works individually, so I was excited to read this one.
If you are looking for a series about an idol, the MC is one,
but if you're thinking this is going
to be your typical idol story, you are in for something else entirely.
This one shines a unique light on what it means to be an idol
and the struggles that come with being one like always been in the public eye
and having to fake emotions for the camera and the issues that people
who are famous face in the industry altogether.
But it's a supernatural story too.
In this story, Ai Hoshino, an idol, ends up pregnant
and heads to a rural hospital to secretly have her twins.
The doctor there, Gorou, just so happens to be a fan of hers.
One thing leads to another, and a mysterious figure kills him.
He wakes up to find out he's been reborn as Ai’s newborn son Aquamarine.
There's quite a bit of mystery to this one that makes an interesting
read and it’s a unique story involving reincarnation too.
It's on Manga Plus if you'd like to check it out
and it is currently releasing now from Yen Press.
Welcome to Demon School Iruma-kun has been releasing since 2017 in Japan
and it is finally getting an English print release thanks to Kodansha in 2023.
You may have already watched the anime, which is incredible as well, but the manga
is even better in my opinion.
It has a great sense of humor and lighthearted comedic moments, fun
as well as lovable characters and the fantasy demon world
that this one is set in
and the world building in this one makes it a true joy to read.
It is an isekai story with an extremely unique setup and story.
Our MC, Iruma, is transported to another world
when his parents sign a contract with Sullivan, a high ranking demon,
he will have to keep the fact
that he's a human hidden and convince everyone he's a demon,
which becomes increasingly more difficult when he begins attending demon school.
Of course, though, there's more to this story than we initially realize.
A lot of the humor in the series is a result of Iruma’s
interaction with the students as well as his teachers.
But it's through them that he also begins to learn a lot about himself
and begins to grow as an individual and form strong bonds with others.
The characters are extremely lovable, too.
It's just a fun and amazing read.
I highly recommend checking this one out if you haven't already
when begins releasing In spring 2023.
This next one Helck is an amazing action fantasy coming from Viz in 2023
and it is one of my most anticipated of the year and it’s a hidden gem.
In Helck, the Demon Empire holds a tournament to choose the next demon King.
The favorite contestant to win is Helck, a kind hearted human who says
the reason he wants to become the demon King is to defeat his own race.
Or does he have an ulterior motive?
Dark forces are at work in this one, too.
While it has a seemingly simple premise, it's a fantasy story that flips the script
in a lot of ways.
Not only is the individual that wins the Demon King Tournament a human,
but he despises humans as well,
which makes for an interesting and unexpected story.
It also has a lot of depth.
The series starts out
as a fun, heartwarming read, but as it develops becomes more serious
so you feel a lot of different emotions while reading the series.
Like many of the manga I enjoy, it's fun, will make you laugh, but it also knows
how to pull on your heartstrings as well.
It also has some incredible characters,
including the main characters, Helck and Vamiro, who have a wonderful dynamic.
In addition to having a great cast of characters,
it also has great worldbuilding.
Insomniacs After School is one that just has a really refreshing
vibe to it and it is quite a healing and relaxing read.
There's something oddly melancholic but ultimately beautiful to it,
and the humor, as well as the dynamic between the characters,
remind me a lot of the characters in Dead Dead Demon’s, which is one of my all time
favorite series.
If you enjoy series like Call of the Night,
you'll want to check this one out too.
While it's not a supernatural one like Call of the Night is,
the tone of the series and the main characters and their stories are similar.
Insomniacs After School follows two students who have insomnia
that finds solace together in the school's abandoned observatory.
This secret hideout becomes a safe haven for them, where they can rest.
They form an unexpected bond and find comfort within each other.
It's nice to know that someone not only knows,
but understands what you are going through,
so it makes for a touching story and their connection is beautiful to witness.
For me, Slice of Life series really hinge on their characters,
as well as the topics and themes they explore.
Insomniacs After School
not only has a unique premise, but relatable and likable characters too.
It's just a nice, calming read that feels very fresh.
It's one you’ll
want to keep an eye out for when it releases from Viz in March 2023.
Dark Gathering is an exciting
supernatural horror series releasing from Viz in 2023.
The story follows a college freshman who has been haunted by his ability
to attract spirits and the collateral damage it's caused in the past
in an attempt to blend into society, he becomes a private tutor.
But supernatural danger returns when his first student enlists him
in her quest to find the spirit that took her mother away.
It's really good, has a unique art style, intriguing
premise, cool character designs, and it shows a lot of promise so far.
This one is definitely going to catch fire in the next few years.
Dark supernatural fantasies like Kemono
Jihen, Shadows House, and Mieruko-chan are series
I enjoy and Dark Gathering is very much in the same vein as these types of series,
so it contains topics and themes, like the occult, that are interesting too.
This one is dark and horror filled, more so than other Shonen I've read.
So if you are a fan of horror,
you'll be surprised to see the panels that show up in this series.
March Comes in Like a Lion is releasing from DENPA starting in March.
It follows Rei, a young prodigy that lives alone.
He's on the verge of turning pro and shogi,
but he has no home life or much of a life
outside the game until he meets his lifelong friends
with their help, he gives an opportunity to start over,
and we see him grow and develop over the course of the series.
It’s an iyashikei As well as seinen manga, so this one is full of heartfelt
as well as tough moments, and it focuses on realism too.
It gets deep into the meaning of life, what it means to be human.
And it's a highly relatable series,
which is further enhanced by the fact that it mirrors reality.
The characters and their personalities as well as lives are believable and
it's easy to get behind the characters and their stories really resonate with me.
All in all, it’s one that connected deeply with me emotionally and personally.
It reminds me a lot of Your Lie in April in ways but Barakamon too,
so if you enjoyed either
I highly recommend getting into this one when it releases this year.
Soloist in a Cage is one you may have already read on Manga
Plus but is getting a print release in May 2023 from Seven Seas.
It's dystopian and it's set in a city that is better described as a walled off
and heavily guarded prison that's cut off from the rest of the world.
So those who live there are very much stuck in a cage.
Those who dare try to escape have to overcome not only a tough climb,
but also have to sneakily do so as to not raise an alarm
and awaken guard robots that guard it.
In this city lives Chloe, our MC, and her baby brother.
She dreams of a better life for him and will do anything to protect him,
even if that must mean escaping this place forever, no matter the cost.
On top of having beautiful artwork which pulls you into this
bleak and snowy world, it is an emotional read.
It's a three volume series, but while it's short, it doesn't feel rushed
in any way, and it's one that has a lasting impact.
The Summer Hikaru Died is one of the best new horror manga series
I've read in a while.
It follows two boys, Yoshiki and Hikaru, who grew up together in a small village.
One day, Yoshiki notices that something is different about Hikaru
and discovers that an imposter has taken control over his body.
With Hikaru gone in spirit, but not in body, Yoshiki struggles to let him go
and decides that he'd rather be with whatever it is than lose Hikaru forever.
Since it's set in a village where strange incidents begin occurring, it reminds me
a lot of Higurashi, especially in regards to its setting and atmosphere.
There's something that's just not quite right about this village.
The people are secretive and dark whispers move around the town.
The animals are uneasy and there's an ominous terror
lurking in the shadows, as well as the trees of the mountains.
All in all,
with all of the unexpected and unexplained happenings, it's an unsettling read.
At the same time, it's
very emotional as you watch Yoshiki come to terms with his new reality.
It's chock full of mystery, has a beautiful story and art,
and is one of the best new horror manga I've read to date.
If you love mystery
as well as supernatural manga, you'll want to give this one a shot.
Yen Press announced
that they are releasing this one with English translation,
so will be available to collect soon this year.
Soara and the House of Monsters is a new manga by the creator of Marry Grave
that has beautifully drawn settings and architecture and unique character designs.
It's releasing from Seven Seas in 2023.
To put it simply, it follows the travels of a monster architect
who's conscientious about his client's very specific and unique needs.
A knight who battled these monsters before a time of peace
stumbles across him and his band one day on her search for a new home.
Unexpectedly, after meeting him and seeing his work,
she decides to work with him and they embark on a new journey together.
What initially captured me about this series was its art.
It's so intricate and has a unique style.
The architecture and settings actually remind me
a lot of some of my favorite action adventure games,
and so does the worldbuilding.
It's an enjoyable and fun
action adventure fantasy series that has a touching story.
It really takes a look at what it means to have a home,
a place where you feel comforted, some where you can rest
and recharge at the end of the day, feel safe and make memories.
And how everyone from monsters to heroes deserve to have a place
they call their own.
We see our MC searching for a home of our own,
so there’s quite a bit of depth to this one too.
The Horizon is a manhwa by JH and it's one of the most harrowing stories
I've ever read.
And despite it only being 21 chapters, it was still as impactful,
if not more impactful, than some stories I've read that have 100 chapters,
if not more.
It didn't quite make me cry as much
or take as much of a toll on me as series like Goodnight Punpun or No Longer Human,
but it came close, and for a series that's this compact, this is a huge feat.
The Horizon is releasing from Ize Press in June 2023,
and it was confirmed at Anime NYC 2022.
By the way, I want to mention JH’s other series, The Boxer,
real quick because he's written not one but two series that hooked me.
If you love JH’s works
or you love stories about boxing, this is one you'll want to check out.
I actually have a video showcasing the first volume on the channel
if you like to check it out and learn more about the series.
One thing I really enjoy about all of JH works, though, including the Horizon,
is the commentary on life.
JH takes these stories; One that’s about two kids living in the aftermath
of a cataclysmic war
and another that's about a boxer and tells them in a way that feels poetic.
So the storytelling element is a strong suit of these, for sure,
but these stories also feel very real and the characters are very relatable.
The Horizon is one of the most profound and dark series I've ever read.
It's similar to The Road, and to this day, that one still haunts me.
Much in the same way, The Horizon still haunts me to this day, but even more
so because there's no parent or parents helping these children in this story.
Instead, the story follows a young boy who is trying to survive
in a post-apocalyptic world after losing his mother.
One day he meets a young girl who's struggling to do the same
and they accompany one another on their journey.
Despite all the
scary moments and obstacles they face, they push forward in search of a safe
haven and are looking for light and hope in this dark world.
Of course, that light can very well be felt at times in their interactions
with one another.
But it's very clear from the images in the story that the loneliness
that these two feel, despite having one another, still exists.
They meet other survivors along the way.
Adults who have lost their way and most notably have lost their humanity
in their endeavor to survive no matter the cost.
It's a tough read that, while has little dialogue, has so much to say.
The atmosphere and emotion
that the author conveys through the art is unbelievable as well.
You really grasp the grave nature of the situation
and the way the story unfolds is just so expertly done.
It's one that absolutely broke me, but I'm glad I experienced it
nonetheless, because it's one of my favorites of all time.
Keep an eye out for the first volume,
which is releasing from Ize Press in June 2023.
Sci-fi, Seinen and BOICHI fans, including myself, are in for a big treat
in 2023 with the release of Origin, which is coming in fall 2023 from Kodansha.
BOICHI is well known as the artist behind Dr.
Stone, but he has also brought us amazing series like Sun-ken Rock and Origin.
I'm a huge fan of his works.
He's one of the most incredible artists
I've ever seen and he's one of the best of our time.
Origin first released in Japan in 2016 and finished releasing in 2019
with ten volumes.
It has been released in a number of different languages,
but this is the first time it will be printed in English.
I really hope this means that Sun-Ken Rock is coming soon too.
Origin is set in the future in the capital city of Tokyo,
which is now connected to Eurasia by a transcontinental railroad.
Criminals and terrorists live in this metropolitan darkness,
as well as mysterious creatures who prey on humans.
Only one stands against them...
Origin.
BOICHI’s series always have a great sense of humor
as well as emotional moments that connect you further into his stories.
They are action packed and feature incredibly detailed and stunning art.
Robots with advanced AI exist in the story,
but the real beauty to this one is that our MC is an android
who wants to learn more about himself and what it means to be alive.
There are plenty of emotional as well as beautiful moments,
but we get some badass action as well as comedy too.
We even have some deeper exploration here.
Not quite as deep as stories like Pluto by Naoki Urasawa,
but it still gets into the whole “What does it mean to be human” and robots
with feelings narratives.
There's also a great deal
of self-reflection in this one, but it also has the action and detail
and the unique artwork you'd see in series like in Inuyashiki.
So if you're a fan of either, definitely give this one a shot.
It's quite a fun and entertaining to read, but has a lot of depth to it as well.
Homunculus by Hideo Yamamoto, the mind that also brought us Ichi
The Killer is one of the best
thrillers and psychological horror manga I've ever read.
Seven Seas recently announced that they will be releasing Homunculus
with English translation in an oversized omnibus format.
It was announced in 2022, definitely the biggest and most exciting
manga news of the year for me, along with the announcement of Innocent.
The story follows using Susumu Nakoshi, one day he’s in a lavish hotel
the next he’s living in his car.
He is approached by the mysterious Manabu Ito, a medical student
who says he's a perfect candidate for his experiment.
He initially rejects his offer but later accepts it when his car is towed
and is in need of cash.
In exchange for ¥700,000, Nakoshi lets Ito drill
a hole into his skull via a method called trepanation.
At first everything seems normal for Nakoshi
following this experimental surgery , but this all changes
when the effects kick in and he began seeing the homunculus in every person.
Watching Nakoshi undergo this experimental surgery
is a horror in itself, but it's the after effects of this surgery
and the distorted humans that Nakoshi now sees that are the most unsettling.
It is hard to know what's real or not in this one too as you are reading,
so there is an element of mystery to this series
as you work to understand what is happening to Nakoshi as he himself
is trying to understand what is going on as well.
You really feel like you're in the story with Nakoshi as a result.
It is one of my favorite series
and I hope you'll check it out when it releases this year.
Before I sign out, I also want to mention Goodbye, Eri by
Tatsuki Fujimoto, the creator of Chainsaw Man and Fire Punch,
which I highly recommend picking up.
It is a one-shot,
so it's a quick yet incredible read that you can get into in 2023.
Wind Breaker, which is arriving in fall 2023 from Kodansha.
It's a delinquent shonen story, so I'm excited for this one too.
I'm also excited to pick up a Akane-banashi, Heart
Gear by the creator of Black Torch.
I absolutely loved Black Torch and wish it would have kept going,
so I'm excited to pick up their latest.
I'm also intrigued by Don't Call it Mystery, which is releasing from
Seven Seas and is by Yumi Tamura, the creator of Basara and 7SEEDS.
I'll be for sure getting Choujin X by Sui Ishida, the creator of one of my all time
favorites, Tokyo Ghoul, Boy’s Abyss, Megumi & Tsugumi, and Tsugumi Project too.
There are two other final releases to look out for that aren't new but
are new format releases.
The first is the Vinland Saga
Deluxe Editions, which are premium three in one Collector's Hardcovers.
I will for sure do a video comparing the two editions from Kodansha
when they come out, so stay tuned for that.
Expect these to releasing in the fall of 2023.
There's also a new boxset coming out for Toilet-bound Hanako-kun
from Yen Press as well.
There's so much to look forward to, but these are the ones
that I'm looking forward to the most!
What about you all?
What new manga are you excited to pick up most in 2023 so far?
Let me know in the comments below.
Thanks as always for watching guys and I'll see you all next time!